Oregon will receive $19.5 million in federal grants for 16 transportation projects throughout the state. The projects were selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration from more than 1,800 grant applications from across the country.

The Columbia River Crossing received the largest allocation of funding of any project in the nation under the Federal Highway Administration's grant competition.

In cooperation with Oregon local governments, Indian Tribes, other state and federal agencies, the Oregon Department of Transportation submitted 74 project proposals requesting $112 million. Submitted projects reflected a variety of project types providing diverse benefits throughout the state. Of project proposals submitted by ODOT, 16 were awarded funding totaling $19.5 million, out of a national total of $417.3 million awarded. Overall, Oregon received nearly 1 out of every 20 dollars awarded in the nation-- a rate nearly quadruple the state's normal share of funding. What's more, Oregon received the third highest total amount of funding of any state in the nation; the only states that received more total funding-- Washington and California-- are much larger. A list of all projects funded in Oregon is available.

Oregon Funding Highlights:

Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Program: Under the Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Program Oregon received $3.625 million to improve the southbound ramp to the I-5 Kuebler Interchange in Marion County and $3 million to continue work on the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project. When combined with $2 million received by Washington, federal funding provided for the CRC totaled $5 million-- the largest allocation of funding to any Interstate project in the country.

Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program:
Oregon received $6.6 million for four projects including:

$923,000 to construct passing lanes and complete other safety improvements on U.S. 26 (Warm Springs Highway) at the Wasco-Jefferson County lines. The project continues ongoing activities to provide additional passing opportunities and improve safety for motorists and commercial vehicles using one of Central Oregon’s most important travel routes;

$1.7 million to upgrade pavement and reconstruct sidewalks in Sisters, a popular Oregon tourist destination; and

$2.1 million to continue restoration efforts on the nationally recognized Historic Columbia River Highway. The provided funding will complete the "missing link" between Warrendale and Moffett Creek, creating a continuous pedestrian-bicycle route from Troutdale to Gorge communities.

National Scenic Byways Program: Oregon received $1.5 million for three projects, including:

$1.04 million to construct a welcome station for providing information on the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway; and

$72,000 for additional signage along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

ODOT has received the final increment of funding needed to reconstruct the missing segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail near Cascade Locks.

National Covered Bridge Preservation Program
Oregon received $2.1 million for five projects to continue preservation of covered bridges located throughout Oregon.

National Ferry Boat Discretionary Program
Oregon received $1.83 million to construct a new Westport Ferry Landing in Clatsop County. The new landing will accommodate a larger ferry that will be able to carry a greater number of passenger vehicles and larger commercial vehicles.